Blind builder thriving despite U.S. housing downturn

Postmedia News

Blindness hasn't been a career impediment to home builder Tim Ellis of Abilene, Texas, who is making a good living at it despite the sad state of the United States' economy.

Ellis, 37, started his company, Cornerstone Custom Homes, three years ago. Even in the midst of the recession, he and his sighted partner Matt Loudermilk built a dozen homes in their first year and doubled that number the next, according to a recent story on ReporterNews.com.

Ellis began losing his vision in high school and by 22 had lost it completely. He worked for his father's automotive business for several years and started remodelling and reselling houses as a hobby. Then he met Loudermilk, who was already involved in house construction.

The partners say their respective abilities and disabilities are a good match.

"A house has got to be appealing to people from the street and we've also got to make it look good on the inside," says Loudermilk, "That's really the part I do. But he brings functionality into the home. Manoeuvring around the house, turning on lights, he takes all that into account like a sighted person can't."

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